Home / Sports / NHL All-Star Game Goes Global: Nations Face Off
NHL All-Star Game Goes Global: Nations Face Off
3 Jun
Summary
- NHL All-Star Weekend features a new three-on-three tournament with national teams.
- Russia's potential return to international hockey is being closely monitored.
- Commissioner Bettman confirmed succession plans are in development.
The NHL is set to transform its All-Star Weekend into an international spectacle. The upcoming February 5-6 event at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., will feature a three-on-three tournament with national teams from Canada, the USA, Finland, and Sweden, plus a 'Rest of the World' squad. This move is inspired by the success of the recent 4 Nations Face-Off and the Milan Olympics.
Looking ahead to 2027, the All-Star skills competition will be exclusively for players aged 25 and under, culminating in a shootout and obstacle course finale. The league and the NHL Players' Association are also navigating the complex issue of Russia's potential return to international hockey, closely following the IIHF's decisions as they plan for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, celebrating his 74th birthday, acknowledged that succession plans are being developed with the Board of Governors, though he emphasized no immediate changes are expected. He also defended the current playoff format, citing increased competitiveness and longer series, while the league is also set to continue its decentralized draft format.
